Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Excimer laser
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Excimer laser: A laser that emits very concentrated light in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the spectrum.
Excimer lasers are used, for example, in:
- Ophthalmology -- to vaporize part of the surface layer of the cornea and thus reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
- Dermatology -- to treat psoriasis and vitiligo.
An excimer laser uses a noble-gas halide. Excimer is a chemical term that refers to a substance formed by the joining of two atoms or two molecules of the same chemical composition in an excited state; it is an excited dimer.